HCV Controlled Wood Risk Assessment
High Conservation Values (HCVs) evaluation framework
For use in the context of implementing FSC Controlled Wood standards
DRAFT 2.1 - Published 14th April 2011
"FSC Australia discussed a revised approach to evaluating High Conservation Values at a workshop in Melbourne last week attended by about 40 members and other stakeholders. The revised approach is based on a Framework developed by FSC US. Draft 2.0 of the HCV Evaluation Framework was canvassed with participants at the workshop. Comments were captured and some changes have been incorporated into a Draft 2.1 that will be uploaded to the FSC Australia web site this week for a 60 day comment period. Other comments made at the workshop will be considered as part of the review of the Framework at the end of the comment period. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments to FSC Australia. FSC International Forest Policy Manager Richard Robertson attended the session and provided some context to the discussion by outlining the history and current context of the HCV concept." (FSC Australia April 14th Newsletter, 2011)
During a sixty day consultation period, FSC Australia received nineteen submissions from organisations and companies, representing the three FSC chambers (environment, social and economic) regarding the Draft 2.1 of the Framework for Evaluating High Conservation Value's (HCV's) in Australian forests. Of these submissions, the majority were from the economic chamber (fifteen). The social chamber had three submissions,and the environmental chamber two. Identifying HCV's specific to the Australian forestry context, with input from all chambers, is a crucial development toward the formation of an FSC Australian Standard. This framework will be an important tool for companies required to evaluate HCV's in Australia under the International Standards for Controlled Wood (FSC-STD-40-005 and FSC-STD-30-010). The next stage in this process will be an extensive evaluation of comments received.
FSC Australia would like to thank to all those that took the time to comment.
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Tender submissions sought
Tender submissions are sought to develop a data directory of tools and resources to identify and manage High Conservation Values in the context of FSC requirements.
The requirements are available as a PDF here.
Submissions are due by Thursday 23 December 2010.
In consideration of the comments received by stakeholders, including the need for a practical and implementable set of tools to support implementation of Annex 3 of FSC-STD-40-005 (Version 2-1)), the Board of Directors of FSC Australia has decided to add elements to the framework in order to achieve the expected results.
The main elements that are going to be incorporated to the HCV Framework are:
- Focus the approach of the framework on the implementation of Annex 3 of the Controlled Wood standard. Considering that currently there is an overall review of the FSC Principles and Criteria, elements regarding implementation of Principle 9 should be developed in the context of a FSC Australian national standard and in consideration of interrelations to other Principles and Criteria.
- Provide a data directory for each bioregion containing main resources for identification of HCVs, identification of management prescriptions and tools for stakeholder consultation.
- Align the HCV classes to the FSC International definition (Six HCV classes). The deviation from the international classes has been identified as difficult for implementation and evaluation purposes.
- Provide interpretations and scope of the six HCV classes including a list of the values contained in each class.
In this way, the Board of FSC Australia expects that a second version of the framework will be published as a final draft for consideration of stakeholders in early 2011.
A final draft for consideration of stakeholders is a document that should only be changed in the case of ‘substantial’ comments against the approach of this framework.
A summary of comments from stakeholders is available here.
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Draft 1-5, September 15, 2009
Background
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In early 2008, the Board of FSC Australia instigated a working party of experts selected by the three Chambers (Social, Environmental and Economic) to develop a formal Risk Assessment for ‘Controlled Wood’ in the Australian context. The final Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Matrix for Australia, published in July 2009, provides guidance to both companies and certification bodies seeking to identify risks in accordance with the FSC Standard for Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood (FSC-STD-40-005 (Version 2-1)). The Controlled Wood Risk Assessment Matrix for Australia (FSC-CWRA-001-AUS) has recently been approved by FSC International and is available to view on the FSC Australia website. Importantly, the treatment of high conservation values (HCV) in the Controlled Wood Risk Assessment, and the resulting need for an Annex 3 determination by the company purchasing the Controlled Wood required a guidance document to be developed. Below is a draft of that guidance document, for stakeholder comment. |
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Submissions
The Directors of FSC Australia have determined to undertake a 90 day period for submissions and consultation from 7 October 2009 to 7 January 2010.
The Committee seeks stakeholder feedback, opinion and responses to this draft.
Submissions are due by 7 January 2010
You can forward your submission to us by:
Email: hcv@fscaustralia.org
Mail: FSC Australia, GPO Box 152, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Fax: 03 8636 2674
Documents
- Call for submissions and full information
- Fauna habitat modelling and mapping: A review and cast study in the Lower Hunter Central region of NSW (Wintle et al. 2005)
Modelling Human impacts on the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Bekessy et al, 2009)